Power steering

[Tafford]

As per my other thread my starter had packed up on the way back from Le Mans so I've just sorted that (sort of anyway) However, when I got the car going again after two weeks of not moving it I have no power steering at all - it was working fine when I parked it up as I have to do a sharp turn on our drive to park it. There's plenty of oil in it so what can it be? I've got a horrible feeling the answer will be the key on the pump drive shaft but it's strange that it's failed immediately after startng the car just once!
From other threads it looks like the pump can be changed with the engine in, but what actually fails on the drive? - does the key shear or does the slot in the shaft shear in which case it's an engine out job to get to the shaft again. Getting annoyed now with problems.....

[Gazzab]

If you have the original set up and not an aftermarket electric device then you cant fix it without removing the engine afaik. If you convert to electric then I think you can leave the engine in situ.

[Tafford]

On further reading as I've got the later engine (dipstick at front)hopefuly with the revised woodruff key is it unlikely that this has failed? Is there anything else it could be such as valves in the rack? How can I test the pump? Also as it seem easy to remove the pump itself what makes it necessary to remove the engine to put a new key in? Sorry for so many questions but I could really do without pulling the engine....

[caduceus]

Tafford said:

On further reading as I've got the later engine (dipstick at front)hopefuly with the revised woodruff key is it unlikely that this has failed? Is there anything else it could be such as valves in the rack? How can I test the pump? Also as it seem easy to remove the pump itself what makes it necessary to remove the engine to put a new key in? Sorry for so many questions but I could really do without pulling the engine....

Pulling the engine isn't as hard as you would think. Disconnect gear box 1st, then a 2 tonne sealy engine hoist from a hire shop does the trick.
I changed my woodruff key and pump when I pulled mine, along with a few other things. If your car is a keeper, then its worth the effort. As I wouldn't even attempt changing the pump/key with the engine in place.

[Gazzab]

From memory the revised woodruff key was introduced in 99 time...? So if your engine was assembled after 99 then you'll have the stronger key afaik

[scotty_d]

caduceus said:

Pulling the engine isn't as hard as you would think. Disconnect gear box 1st, then a 2 tonne sealy engine hoist from a hire shop does the trick.
I changed my woodruff key and pump when I pulled mine, along with a few other things. If your car is a keeper, then its worth the effort. As I wouldn't even attempt changing the pump/key with the engine in place.

I am going to pull my engine this coming winter to do a few little jobs. Do you think you could pull engine and box out in one? I have all the tools ramp engine crane so on.

[Tanguero]

Yes - the engine comes out fine with the box attached. You just need to tilt it up at the front as it comes out (and make sure you have disconnected the gear lever extension!)

[Tafford]

I've looked at the service manuals which show that it is not particularly difficult to get the pump off insitu. Whilst from the experience on here I don't doubt it's necessary to pull the engine to replace the key I'm having problems getting my head around why? Also before I launch into anything is there anything else that could cause sudden and complete failure of the power steering?

[FarmyardPants]

It's also worth checking the UJs as they give similar symptoms when they seize up. Lots of threads about that

[caduceus]

To be honest, in hindsight after renewing everything to do with the steering when I stripped mine, I'd replace the pump with an electric item if I was doing it all again.
And replace the rack with an item that is in production for modern cars today. Would take some research and getting very close to your local motor factors and main dealerships though. The one TVR put in can only be refurbished now. They can't be bought new.

[Tafford]

I'm pretty sure it's not the UJ's - for one thing they are quite new and also the steering wasn't at all notchy when it worked - it gone from fine to no power steering in one hit with no gradual worsening.

[JensenA]

It's possible - so worth trying just to eliminate the posibility - that you have air in the system, and it needs bleeding. Fortunately it's easy to do...jack the front of the car up, and just turn the steering smoothly from full lock to full lock a half a dozen times.

[Tafford]

Look like I got lucky ! - the woodruff key from the PS pump drive had come out somehow so Ian at Torque RVT has sorted it without getting the engine out thankfully.

[Gazzab]

Tafford said:

Look like I got lucky ! - the woodruff key from the PS pump drive had come out somehow so Ian at Torque RVT has sorted it without getting the engine out thankfully.

Lucky man! Did he confirm if its a later stronger one?

[ukkid35]

I think it's more likely that the grub screw came lose, as everyone else claims the Woodruff key can't be replaced in situ.

[Tafford]

I think the woodruff key that can't be replaced in situ is the one on the front of the shaft though not the one for just the PS pump - I may be wrong though....